Made iconic by our favorite Brooklyn Don Dada, The Notorious B.I.G., the Coogi sweater quickly became an urban status symbol of swag and style in the 90’s. Rivaling major fashion houses like Gucci, Fendi, and Versace, the Australian clothing line with its distinctive knitted swirls of starburst fruit colors crashed the Italian job that dominated the threads worn by most rappers of Read more...

“Just keep in mind when Jimmy grows
It grows and grows and grows, so let it
But keep in mind about the epidemic
When Jimmy releases, boy it pleases
But what do you do about all these diseases?
Jimmy is Jimmy, no matter what
So take care of Jimmy cos you know what’s up
Cos now in winter AIDS attacks
So run out Read more...

For quite some time I’ve had this idea to highlight my favorite products especially the ones made by women because I really respect the risk-taking courage, smarts and stamina it takes to be an entrepreneur. I feel more and more that we as a community do not celebrate our small business entrepreneurs the way we should. With the big box business boom of Starbucks, WalMart and H&M, I’ve seen so many of my favorite small Read more...

In 1995 I called myself “relocating” to Los Angeles to work on a music project and to make a name for myself in TV and film. Forget making a splash in Hollywood, I was going to create a tidal wave. Two weeks went by and I was clear about one thing: I hated La La Land! The only water works I was creating were the tears I cried at night as I longed to get Read more...

“The dress must not hang on the body but follow its lines. It must accompany its wearer and when a woman smiles the dress must smile with her.” -Madeleine Vionnet

When the thermostat hits 85 degrees or higher I don’t want some hot fabric wrapped over my legs and stifling the flow of air around my thighs and treasure-box, so shorts and capris are out of the question. Honestly, if I could’ve gone butt-naked every Read more...

Gold, referred to as “tears of the Sun” by the Incas, is perhaps the oldest metal known to us earthlings and I just love this precious metal like no other. It’s shimmer. It’s depth. It’s richness. It all makes that part of my gut that’s connected to beauty and spirit just razzle dazzle with a rush of excitement. Oh and then there’s its connection to Ancient Egypt and Nubia where gold was considered the skin Read more...

Celebrating my birthday, as an adult, has become a mixed bag affair. Sometimes I think as we mature, the birthday partying and whooping it up gets a bit tired. We’re not kids anymore and all that fussing about birthday cake ain’t grown-n-sexy unless you’re talking about blowing out the kind of candles Rihanna sings about in her current hit. But it is the day on which we were born and not to go all Chucky Read more...

Clearly someone over at Burberry must have taken note of the saying, “the darker the berry, the sweeter the juice” before they designed their Burberry Prorsum Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear Collection. A saying made popular by Black women with chocolate complexions back in the day, Burberry has appropriated our celebration of rich color by infusing their signature, light beige trench with rich hues and natural textures making an already beautiful coat, sweet like red, juicy summer Read more...

You knew it was coming and here it is! The first book review in theHotness “Reading is Sexy” Series. Written by the self-described ‘potty-mouthed chef,’ mom & blogger, Stefanie Kelly, this review will break down the best of “Vibration Cooking” and make you a believer in hot skillet spirituality.

Have you ever dated someone who didn’t read? Someone who was into you, but not into books? Ugh! I’ll tell you now: You will not get to first base with me if the only “literature” you read is the menu at your favorite Thai spot and the headlines on ESPN.com. I think reading is so friggin’ sexy! As a matter of fact the only pic I have of the last guy I dated is of Read more...